Bengals’ overlooked offseason addition helped Cincinnati go down an unprecedented path with the 53-man roster
The Cincinnati Bengals’ transition to a 3-4 defense has reshaped how they build their roster. No position group reflects that shift more than linebacker, and Swayze Bozeman’s emergence helped make a new reality promising.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ transition to a 3-4 defense has reshaped how they build their roster. No position group reflects that shift more than linebacker.
The thinnest spot on Cincinnati’s depth chart heading into the regular season is linebacker, where Swayze Bozeman has carved out a roster spot as the fourth and final player at the position. The Bengals have never gone below five backers on the initial 53-man roster under head coach Zac Taylor, nor have they done so in, at least, the 13 years prior to his tenure.
Bozeman was mostly an afterthought in training camp before quickly shining in preseason action. He was the Bengals’ only linebacker addition who played in the NFL last year, claimed off waivers back in May while the front office was still wrapping up draft pick signings. The 27-year-old most recently played for the New York Giants, but also spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears.
He played well enough for his fourth franchise to earn a 53-man roster spot, and make Cincinnati comfortable going as light as possible in the middle of the defense. But this was not a decision Bozeman alone influenced.
Why the Bengals can go very light at linebacker
The structure of Cincinnati’s defense explains why carrying just four linebackers makes sense. The Bengals are running a 3-4 scheme that will feature only two off-ball backers on the field. Whether they’re in their base, or a nickel defense, only two LBs will be out there at essentially all times. The difference between two and three reserves becomes negligible in this world.
Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter are the starters. Behind them, Oren Burks fills the primary special teams and backup role, with Bozeman serving as the next man up. Bozeman could ultimately act as a direct reserve for either Knight or Carter while Burks backs up the other, but either way, depth at the position is covered without any excess.
Knight, Carter, Burks, and Bozeman are far from the best players on the roster. The LBs who didn’t make it, ala Joe Giles-Harris and Shaka Heyward, are no better. This is the weakest position room in the entire building. Keeping more than they need would’ve prohibited them from securing a better player at another position.
Cincinnati can stock Giles-Harris, Heyward, or even both on the practice squad and elevate either one if depth gets thin during the season. It’s a calculated approach that prioritizes roster spots elsewhere.
Defensive line depth justifies the tradeoff
Where does the talent lie if not at LB? Look right in front of them. The Bengals kept 11 defensive linemen as the 3-4 scheme almost demands it. Each of the starting three defensive tackles gets a backup, and the traditional decision of keeping five EDGE players was made again.
The depth chart tells the story. Landon Robinson and Kris Jenkins Jr. will act as backup 3-techniques behind Jonathan Allen and B.J. Hill. T.J. Slaton Jr. is confirmed as Dexter Lawrence’s backup at nose tackle. There could’ve been a debate regarding the keeping of both Robinson and Jenkins instead of just one, but with the way Robinson played this preseason, he needed to stick around. Jenkins also did enough and would’ve cost the club salary cap space if he was waived.
This is exactly what the Bengals envisioned when they built this group during the spring. The d-line now truly has waves of depth to get through the season. It does require sacrifice somewhere else, and LB is where Cincinnati chose to absorb the hit.
The bigger picture going forward
The Bengals are betting on their DL depth to carry the defense ,while trusting that two reliable backups at LB will be enough behind two starters with much to prove. The front five stayed healthy aside from Shemar Stewart, so there was no choice but to keep 11. Bozeman’s emergence gave them a viable fourth option, and the confidence that five isn’t necessary.
If Knight and Carter take the developmental leap Cincinnati is hoping for, this approach could pay off as the season plays out.
